Protective case for delicate objects

ABSTRACT

Disclosed is a tubular body formed from a circular knitted fabric, an elastic section suitably dimensioned for matching a mouth defined in one of the ends of the tubular body and a fine seam that closes in a permanent fashion the opposed end of the tubular body.

REFERENCE TO EARLIER APPLICATIONS

This Application incorporates by reference and is a continuation ofInternational Patent Application No. PCT/ES2003/000639, filed Dec. 17,2003. This Application claims priority to and incorporates by referenceSpanish Utility Model No. U0200300027/5, filed Dec. 23, 2002.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

The present invention refers to a protective case for delicate objectsand, in particular, for portable objects such as mobile phones, glasses,remote controls for electronic home appliances, or any other objectsthat, either because of their very nature or the material of which theyare made, require protection against banging or scratching.

PRIOR ART

Stiff covers are used nowadays to protect these kinds of delicateportable objects. The drawback of stiff covers or cases is that theytake up considerable space when they are not in use, which happens to bea significant nuisance. Besides, on many occasions it is impossible forusers to comfortably carry about these cases in their pockets or bagsdue to their size and stiffness, this making it necessary for users tocarry them in their hands with the ensuing nuisance.

One way of solving this problem is to make use of cases whosemanufacture involves joining laminar pieces made of different materials,such as leather, plastic, rubber, etc. Said cases are provided withseams that, apart from being weak areas, gather dust and grime thatcause the deterioration of the object intended to be protected.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The new protective case for delicate objects has been created in orderto overcome the above-mentioned drawbacks, since its construction issuch that it facilitates its storage and ensures adequate protection ofthe object contained in its interior, thus enlarging its lifeexpectancy.

In accordance with the invention, this protective case for delicateobjects comprises a tubular body formed from circular knitted fabric,preferably from smooth stitch, whose purpose is to accommodate in itsinterior the object intended to be protected. The lower end of thistubular body is provided with a fine seam for closing said end and, theupper end is provided with a mouth for the introduction of the objectintended to be protected in the interior of said tubular body. Thismouth is provided with an elastic section for facilitating its closureand for preventing undesired exit of the item contained in its interior.

The tubular body may be formed from natural materials, such as cotton,etc., or otherwise, with synthetic materials, such as polyester. Theselection of the materials depends upon the type of object for which thecase is intended; although, in accordance with the invention, thetubular body is preferably formed from smooth circular knitted fabric.

The elastic section defined in the mouth of the case may be formed fromcircular knitted fabric in whose manufacture elastic materials have beenincluded, this making it unnecessary to subsequently add an elastic,which would increase manufacturing and handling costs.

According to the invention, the case has a lined interior responsiblefor providing the object accommodated in its interior with a greaterprotection. Said protecting layer can be made of either a protectivecushioning lining, a humidityproof lining, a non-slipping lining ortheir combination.

According to the invention, the tubular body may optionally have on itsouter surface decorative motifs defined in the fabric itself that shapesthe tubular body. These motifs may be either stamped, embroidered,inlaid or, in short, defined or fixed to the case by any other givenmeans.

The objects that can be protected by this case are, for instance, mobilephones, glasses, remote controls for electronic home appliances and anyother portable objects. Obviously, the size of the case will depend onthe size of the object intended to be protected. Besides, owing to thetype of fabric of which the case is made, cases can be easily folded forstorage when not in use.

DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

In order to supplement the above description and to facilitatecomprehension of the characteristics of the invention, the presentspecification is accompanied by a set of merely illustrative andnon-limiting drawings in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates an exterior view of the protective case for delicateobjects; and

FIG. 2 illustrates a view, the interior side, of the protective case fordelicate objects.

PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

The invention consists of a protective case for delicate objects,comprising a tubular body (1) formed from circular knitted fabric, anelastic section (2) suitably dimensioned for matching the mouth (3)defined in one of the ends of the tubular body (1) and a fine seam (4)that closes in a permanent fashion the opposed end of said tubular body(1).

The elastic section (2) facilitates the closure of the mouth (3)preventing accidental exit of the product intended to be protected thatis contained inside the case.

As shown in FIG. 2, the case includes an interior lining (5) responsiblefor providing a greater protection to the object intended to beprotected. Said protective lining may be made of a protective cushioninglining, a humidityproof lining, a non-slipping lining or theircombination.

Optionally, the case may be provided with hanging means, such as a cord.

Furthermore, the case may be provided on its outer surface with motifs(6) defined in the fabric itself that shapes the tubular body (1).

It will be appreciated that, in the present case, any variation in theconstruction and the finishing that does not alter, change or modify thesubstance of the invention is included in the subject-matter of theinvention.

1. Protective case for delicate objects, comprising a tubular bodyformed from a circular knitted fabric, an elastic section suitablydimensioned for matching a mouth defined in one of the ends of saidtubular body and a fine seam that closes in a permanent fashion theopposed end of said tubular body.
 2. Protective case for delicateobjects, according to claim 1, wherein said case is provided with aninner lining that forms a protective layer.
 3. Protective case fordelicate objects, according to claim 2, wherein said protective layer ismade of a protective cushioning lining, a humidityproof lining, anon-slipping lining, or combination thereof.
 4. Protective case fordelicate objects, according to claim 1, wherein said elastic section isformed from circular knitted fabric that includes elastic materials. 5.Protective case for delicate objects, according to claim 1, furthercomprising hanging means.